Animal behavior and cognition, especially communication, social hierarchy, and the effects of domestication; the teaching of psychology
Dr. Davis has a background in Experimental Psychology, with a specialization in animal learning and memory. She is affiliated with the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Program in the Psychology Department.
In 2003, the George Mason Alumni Society chose Dr. Davis as their Distinguished Professor of the Year. The Mason Staff Senate selected her for its first Supervisor of the Year Award in 2002. She was twice named Mid-Atlantic Region Advisor of the Year by Golden Key National Honour Society.
Components of food signals in chickens
Developmental cognition in chickens
Recognition of human emotional cues in dogs
Social hierarchy effects on learning in chickens and goats
Pedagogy of psychology
Artz, B. and Davis, D. B. (2017). Green Care: A review of the benefits and potential of animal-assisted care farming. Animals, 7, 31. doi:10.3390/ani7040031
Davis, D. B. (2017). Exam question sequencing effects and context cues. Teaching of Psychology, 44(3), 263-267.
Davis, D. B. (December 12, 2016). In praise of the humble quiz: A compendium of research findings. College Teaching, 7, 1-3. doi 10.1080/87567555.2016.1232695
Davis, D. B. (2016). Familiarity versus understanding: A formative assessment. College Teaching, 64(4), 228-229.
McElroy, P., & Davis, D. B. (2016). Using quizzes to improve exam scores. Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference Proceedings, 8.
Davis, D. B. (2015). In their own best interest: Data-based decisions in the classroom. Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference Proceedings, 7(1), 90.
Psyc304 Principles of Learning
Psyc405 Mystery, Madness, and Murder (synthesis)
Psyc406 Psychology of Communication
Psyc461/592 Animal Behavior
B.A. Dickinson College 1982
M.A. Hollins University 1984
Ph.D. American University 1991
Borrelli, C., & Davis, D. (2015). The paranormal beliefs of the non-religious. Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA.
Davis, D. (2015). The effects of quiz format on exam grades in an undergraduate course. Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA.
Winsor, A., & Davis, D. (2015). Discovering word learning and fast-mapping abilities in domestic goats (Capra hircus). Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, PA.
Davis, D. (2013). The effect of multiple-choice exam question order on student performance in an introductory psychology class. Atlantic Coast Teaching Conference, Sandy Hook, NJ.
Davis, D., & Battaglia, M. (2012). A comparison of debate versus discussion in large, undergraduate psychology classes. Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference, Fairfax, VA.